Staying skinny and pregnant

Social media is possibly the biggest cause of angst and pregorexia in mothers-to-be. Everyone wants to remain a size 8 with a cute #babybump for facebook and instagram. To be fair, it’s not easy seeing celebrities go through multiple pregnancies and still looking model thin. Fat put on during pregnancy is one of the hardest weights to shake off because right after, you’re too caught up with your new born and perhaps other kid(s) to look after yourself talk less of keeping fit, so in most cases you gain more.

When it comes to staying slim and pregnant, I have to admit to having won the genetic lottery as neither my mum nor grandma is on the plump side. Don’t hate me I weighed 58kg when I got pregnant with my second child, and at 33 weeks I was pushing 63kg without starving myself which would have been ridiculous! 6 weeks postpartum and I snapped back to shape. My ultimate trick is to stay constantly fit even when I’m far from pregnancy mode and minus the aforementioned genetic lottery; here are some of the rules that guided me:Watch the FOOD you eat

The most common lie ever told during pregnancy is “you’re eating for 2”. And mothers-to-be tend to stuff their faces on that premise. To be honest, the hunger usually just appears out of nowhere, so what I do is eat frequently but in little portions. Don’t alter your diet much, just scrap out the junk food. If you always ate 2slices of bread before you got pregnant, then have 3 slices of toast with a hardboiled egg when you’re pregnant (soft boiled eggs may contain Salmonella bacteria which would make you very sick) I never go overboard. You don’t have to eat a bowl of eba for your baby to come out big, strong and healthy. Just eat right.

Drink WATER, but not too much

Water makes you feel full so you shouldn’t drink so much that it gets in the way of you eating a diet with recommended nutrients. At least 8 glasses a day should do. Water will prevent stretch marks, nausea, headaches, dizziness and dehydration that can lead to early contractions which can cause preterm labour especially in the 3rd trimester.

Pregnancy cravings are the worst. Sometimes you crave something so badly you send your partner on a treasure hunt for it. It’s ok to indulge – occasionally. But the truth is you give in once, and you’ll be at its mercy again and again. Control your cravings and switch to healthy snacking. The best way to beat cravings is to have a healthier substitute at hand.

Examples of some healthy snacks are;

Fresh fruits

Pita bread

Yogurt

Baked beans

Popcorn

Walnuts

Toast

Avoid: Soda, caffeine or junk foods don’t help you stay in shape or maintain a great skin and are ultimately bad for your health.

REST when you get tired

I stayed away from the sun because it made me exhausted and dehydrated. I understood my body on that level. Listen to your body and rest when you have to. Try to go to bed early, take a warm bath and a cup of hot beverage so you don’t find yourself eating late at night. You might also want to put your phone on silent and go to sleep on your left side with a pillow behind you and one tucked between your thighs. That way you can be sure to snooze with a filled belly till day break… Well, except the million times you need to get up to pee.

MOVE about, a lot

If you’re anything like me then physical exertion isn’t really your thing, but you have to keep moving most especially in a way that is comfortable for you. Walk at least 30minutes everyday if you can, but 3times a week is just fine. Then girl, better tell your partner to come with his A-game because sex is also a good form of exercise, especially during pregnancy. Swimming is also recommended as well and I’ll admit, I tried out some prenatal yoga and discovered real quick that I wasn’t cut out for that. If you are, it comes highly recommended. Being pregnant doesn’t make you an invalid. Keep.It.Moving!

Featured image credit: @evelyserosadesigns

Ms Ssygala,is the mother of two rambunctious kids and blogging is her last line to sanity

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I'm a content writer with a dire need to write to feel complete. I hide behind my laptop because words are the only things I can manipulate. To be human is to be perfectly flawed but I am perfect and never scared. Jane Dean in omnia paratus. I live for my family.

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